Laura the Gastronaut > Recipes > Cocktails >
Spiced Old FashionedSpiced Old Fashioned
October 26, 2021 | Updated August 15, 2022 | Laura
*This post may contain affiliate sales links. Please see full disclosure policy for details.
This old fashioned cocktail has all the same great flavors of an old fashioned but with a bit of fall spices added to it. It is the perfect cocktail to sip on during the fall and winter months making it my go-to Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas cocktail recipe. Not only is this fall bourbon cocktail delicious, it's also a very handsome cocktail to serve to your guests during holiday season.
Spiced, Sophisticated, Handsome, & Delicious
I'm not a big fan of bourbon flavor, but my husband is a huge bourbon fan. So when I got this idea for a spiced old fashioned, I knew exactly who to turn to for some bourbon cocktails taste testing.
With my fall ideas and his taste for bourbon, we created this delicious spin on a classic old fashioned. I even enjoyed one or two of them myself.
It's made with a spiced simple syrup, Angostura bitters, and bourbon (or rye), and topped with some grated burnt cinnamon sticks. This delicious bourbon cocktail is great during any time of year, but because of its seasonal flavor, the fall and winter seasons are the perfect time to enjoy it!
Spiced Old Fashioned: Ingredients
*Some of these ingredient links may be affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.*
✽ Simple Syrup: This fall spiced simple syrup is made with equal parts of sugar and water and spiced with fresh ginger, a cinnamon stick, whole cloves, and freshly grated nutmeg. It's a great way to add in all those tasty fall flavors to this fall cocktail recipe and get you into the holiday spirit.
In a traditional Old Fashioned, you would use a sugar cube for the sweet flavor. Here this spiced simple syrup will replace the sugar cube. For a bit of molasses flavor, swap the granulated sugar with brown sugar.
✽ Angostura Bitters: Helps add in a little bit more of that spiced flavor. Angostura bitters is also found in a traditional Old Fashioned recipe.
✽ Bourbon: Bourbon whiskey is the main character, the star of the show, and the most important ingredient. You can also use rye, if you prefer.
How to Make a Fall Old Fashioned
➊ In a small saucepan, combine 1/2 cup of sugar and 1/2 cup of water. Over medium heat, frequently stir the mixture until the sugar dissolves. Just as soon as all the sugar has dissolved, remove from heat. You don't want the mixture to simmer.
Add in 1 cinnamon stick, 2" long and 1/4" thick fresh ginger, 2 crushed whole cloves, and 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg. Set aside to cool for at least 15 minutes.
The longer you let the simple syrup sit with the spices, the more flavorful it will become. Strain when ready to use.
➋ In a rocks glass (old fashioned glass) or mixing glass, combine 1/4 ounce of the spiced simple syrup and 3 dashes of Angostura bitters. Add one large ice cube.
Then pour in 2 ounces of bourbon or rye. With a cocktail spoon, give it a good stir for at least 20 seconds.
➌ Burn the end of a cinnamon stick until blackened and fragrant. Grate a small amount of cinnamon stick on top of the cocktail.
If desired, VERY CAREFULLY continue burning the end of the cinnamon stick until it catches fire, and garnish the cocktail glass with the burning cinnamon stick. Once the flame extinguishes, you can even stir the drink with the burnt end of the cinnamon for more burnt cinnamon flavor, if desired. *NOTE: the burning cinnamon stick smoke will make your house smell.. well, like burning cinnamon for awhile.*
Another great idea is to garnish the cocktail with an oragne peel instead. Cheers!
Spiced Old Fashioned Recipe: Questions
✽ How long will homemade simple syrup last?
When covered and kept in the fridge, this simple syrup will last about a month. If you keep the whole spices in the simple syrup during storage, the flavor will become stronger!
✽ What is an old fashioned?
The cocktail was created in the 19th century. An old fashioned (according to International Bartender Association) consists of bourbon or rye, a sugar cube, Angostura bitters, and water. The sugar cube is muddled with the bitters and water and then bourbon is added.
The Nightmare Before Christmas Movie Night
✽ Evil Gingerbread Men: For The Nightmare Before Christmas movie night, I decided that I would create recipes that combined the spirit of Halloween and Christmas. I whipped up my favorite gingerbread men recipe, and used icing to draw on scary faces! The gingerbread represents Christmas, and the scary faces are for Halloween.
As for this delicious drink, it gives off a spooky vibe with fall seasonal flavors which are also the same spices you find during the Christmas season! With these two Nightmare Before Christmas recipes, you're sure to have a great movie night!
Looking for more Fall or Christmas cocktails?
→ Check out all of my favorite cocktail recipes!
31 Days of Halloween
This Christmas old fashioned recipe is also a part of my 31 Days of Halloween. For each day in October, I come up with a cocktail recipe and snack recipe that perfectly matches a scary movie, Halloween movie, or a fun spooky activity. Check out 31 Days of Halloween for all of your Halloween snack and drinking desires!
Spiced Old Fashioned
By Laura | Laura the Gastronaut
Prep Time: 5 minutes | Cook Time: 5 minutes | Cooling Time: 15 minutes | Total Time: 25 minutes
Yield: 1 cocktail
__________________________________
This old fashioned cocktail has all the same great flavors as the classic cocktail but with a bit of fall spices added to it. It is the perfect cocktail to sip on during the fall and winter months making it my go-to Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas cocktail recipe. Not only is this bourbon drink delicious, it's also a very handsome cocktail to serve to your guests.
*Some of these ingredient links may be affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.*
Ingredients
For the Simple Syrup:
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 water
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 2 whole cloves, crushed
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg, freshly grated
• 2 2" long x 1/4" thick fresh ginger
For the Cocktail:
• 1/4 ounce spiced simple syrup
• 3 dashes Angostura bitters
• 2 ounces bourbon, or rye whiskey
• 1 cinnamon stick, for garnish
Instructions
➊ Make Simple Syrup: In a small saucepan, combine sugar and water. Over medium heat, continuously stir until the sugar has completely dissolved. As soon as the sugar has dissolved, remove from heat. Add in the cinnamon stick, cloves, nutmeg, and ginger. Set aside for at least 15 minutes. *The longer this simple syrup sits, the more flavorful it will be.* Strain when ready to use.
➋ Make the Cocktail: In a rocks glass, add 1/4 ounce of the spiced simple syrup and Angostura bitters. Add in one large ice cube.
➌ Pour in the bourbon, and stir with a cocktail spoon for at least 20 seconds.
➍ Burn one end of a cinnamon stick until blackened and fragrant. Grate a small amount on top of the prepared spiced old fashioned.
➎ BE CAREFUL! If desired, continue to burn the one end of the cinnamon stick until it catches fire, and VERY CAREFULLY garnish the cocktail with the burning cinnamon stick. Once the flame extinguishes, you can mix the cocktail with the burnt end of the cinnamon for even more burnt cinnamon flavor. *NOTE- burning the cinnamon stick will make your house smell.. well, like burnt cinnamon, for awhile.*
__________________________________
✽ Did you make this bourbon whiskey cocktail recipe?
Let me know by leaving a comment below and sharing on Instagram. Tag @laurathegastronaut and hashtag it #laurathegastronaut.
Category: Cocktails, Fall, Winter Cuisine: American
Keywords: winter spice simple syrup, whiskey cocktails, ginger old fashioned, cinnamon old fashioned, winter old fashioned, fall drinks, burning cinnamon stick cocktail, nightmare before christmas recipes, simple bourbon cocktails
More Fall Cocktails & Festive Cocktails:
✽ Homemade Apple Cider (nothing says fall like a cup of warm delicious apple cider made with crisp apples; make it an apple cider cocktail by adding in dark rum)
✽ Fall Sangria (this sangria is filled with red wine, spiced rum, and all those delicious fruity fall flavors)
✽ Pumpkin Pecan Whisky (delicious cocktail made with whiskey and seasonal ingredients)
→ Check out all of my cocktail recipes!
Bon appétit!
October 26, 2021 by Laura Ehlers
*This Spiced Old Fashioned blog post and recipe may contain some Amazon affiliate links. These link to products that I personally use and recommend. If you purchase anything using my links, it will not cost you anything. It will though give laurathegastronaut.com some financial support which helps me keep this blog running. Thank you for reading my blogs and your continued support.